Several authors - Anthology Australia

A romance anthology with over THIRTY original, never-before-seen stories from bestselling and award-winning authors. Each piece was written for this anthology to benefit firefighters and wildlife in Australia. AUSTRALIA is only available for a limited time, so one-click your copy before it's gone.
All royalties from this project will be donated to relief funds in Australia, with 50% going to a firefighter charity and 50% going to a wildlife charity. We aren't affiliated or endorsed by these charities. We are simply authors who want to support an important cause.

Comment: I purchased this anthology, like many other readers, mostly to contribute somehow to the cause of helping the aftermath of the fires that destroyed a large area of the Australian territory.

There are 37 stories and the task of reading them all sounded both amazing (a lot to be engrossed with) and easily postponed (too much to go through). I didn’t want to just get the anthology and not read it so I started this month with it.

The only thing that seems to be common between the stories is that they all would try to incorporate a little bit of Australia in them. I had a good enough time reading the stories but to be honest, I didn’t like them all.

Everyone knows short stories in anthologies can be a hit or miss, are obviously short so the danger of lack of development is always on sight but I think clever authors can make it work. It was with this disposition I embarked on this read.

In order of appearance, these are the stories and my quick opinion:

1) The Last Song by Skye Warren
A violinist travels with her husband to perform in Sydney. This is part of a series, has alternate POVs and seems to take for granted we already know the character’s history. I don’t plan on reading more of the author. 5/10

2) Pash, No Rash by Penny Reid
A clever but socially awkward heroine drinks at a bar thinking on an Australian co-worker and he shows up and they start talking. Potential for a full length I think; 1st person narrator; more quirky than full on sexy tone. 7/10

3) The Rule of Always by Kennedy Ryan
The two protagonists plan on traveling to Australia, are in lust of one another. I think too much precious time is wasted on sex thoughts; not much happens. I have another book by the author in the TBR but this one let me down. 5/10

4) Be There With Me by Giana Darling
The two NA protagonists get together. Non existing plot, the heroine seems to be like a “poor rich girl”, her father is Australian. Heroine felt immature but could develop in an interesting way. Sadly, didn’t. 3/10

5) A Pretty Penny by Meredith Wild
A couple meets at the restaurant where the heroine works, they feel attracted, he’s richer than she is, and he wants to help her financially. This had potential for a longer book, especially because of their different financial status and other personal issues. They drank Australian wine, I think… 5/10

6) Where the Current Takes You by Emma Scott
Biologist heroine travels to Australia on what should be her honeymoon; she goes alone but wants to study wildlife. Meets a stranger surfing, they hit it off but it’s clear their paths will cross again. It was good, rather believable pace and potential. 8/10

7) I Mean, It’s Cool by Tijan
This is a YA story, mentally ill heroine telling us about her life (in Australia?) and the worries surrounding her in a 1st person narrative. It felt like a weird but seriously toned story. It was intriguing, but rather vague too. 6/10

8) Date For Hire by Noelle Adams
Heroine owns business of companions in Australia for those who need dates for their work outings. She asks the hero to help her on an award ceremony; they are attracted to one another and sleep together. After a misunderstanding, they hit it off. This one was OK, too much sex thoughts instead of character depth. 5/10

9) Kennedy’s Aussie by Nana Malone
This is a lovers reunited trope of an Australian man who pursues his ex after solving his life. After two years, on their first meeting again, they have sex right before the heroine is doing a work presentation. Not appealing behavior, their pursuing feels arrogant and stalkerish, story told in 1st person, alternatively. 4/10

10) Just Jane by Jewel E. Ann
The heroine travels to attend a friend’s wedding in Australia, has a sexual encounter with a stranger at the airport, casually finds out he is the groom and has a fall out with her friend Jane. Later, he finds her again because they “clicked”. Unappealing plot; interesting writing. 6/10

11) Fireworks by Aleathea Romig
This is part of a series. The heroine travels to places because of her company’s expansion; needs to be protected due to a potential kidnapping. One security agent she is attracted to helps her, they bond, she tells him she dreams on visiting Australia and they end up together. Predictable plot and slightly underdeveloped. 6/10

12) 3,2,1 by Parker S. Huntington
The hero plays a sport in Australia and decides on getting a second chance with the heroine. A story with clichés, even a scene of them being locked down together to “make peace”. This felt like a superficial story, that I will not remember much. 4/10

13) Virgin Ride by A.L.Jackson
First person narrator in this NA story featuring Australian neighbors and she offers help when he is locked down of his house. They have sex, have many lustful thoughts of one anoanother another, some annoyingly inner thoughts of themselves and the fact he hid another. We learn he hid from her he works for her criminal father as a payment for his MC club. There is age gap and no plot. Annoying behavior for what is supposed to be “smart” characters. 2/10

14) Dare to Dream by Carly Phillips
The hero isn’t looking for love, of course, when he hires his new assistant but they are attracted to one another and eventually hit it off. The heroine’s friend brought her candy from Australia and she takes some to the hero while he recovers from a transplant. Steady but unoriginal writing style, set up of a series. 5/10

15) A Real Man Down Under by Jenika Snow
A couple celebrates their anniversary in Australia and they have oral sex. Nothing more happens besides this. It is a forgettable story despite some descriptions. 3/10

16) Basket Day by Rebecca Yarros
Part of a firefighters’ crew went to help in Australia while the small town in Colorado contributes with an auction, called basked day and people bid on their favorite baskets. After six years, the hero is coming back and he plans on wining the heroine again and everyone seems to know it. Slightly cute but not done as well as it could for me. 5/10

17) Until Next Year by Annabel Joseph A couple meets in an Australian beach every year, in the same month they met when they were both trying to commit suicide during a storm and saved each other. After this weird meet up, they continued talking, exchanging messages, meeting once a year. Now they seem to have healed enough to move on and be happy together. Interesting story. 7/10

18) Mal + Ann+ 1 by Kylie Scott
This is part of a series I have not read, like a sort of epilogue or sweet moment in the established couple’s life. A baby is born and a family is happy about it. I’m still thinking on where is the Australian connection. It was cute. 7/10

19) Waltz With Me, Matilda by Tamsen Parker
The heroine is interested in ballroom dancing, wants to feel feminine and when that fails she asks for help to her tall reclusive neighbor. Although they never had a personal conversation she admits to him she wants to cede control, even in bed. This felt confusing; she is a competent professional who had a whiny “inner voice”. There are some BDSM tones, which I don’t care for, forgot the Australian connection. 3/10

20) Sanguine by Sierra Simone
Set in Australia, this m/m PNR story features a vampire and an ex priest who can’t take him out of his mind. They talk, share things, and feel attracted to one another. Sweet and more serious notions are exchanged; the dialogue is fluid and cute. This felt both romantic and hot; very easy story to read which also felt well-structured and well timed. 9/10

21) Love You For Always by Willow Winters
A married couple lives in Australia but he works in a distant city. They have a date while he’s home and he decides to come back, so they can be closer and she really likes it because she discovered she’s pregnant. This was a bit rushed but was sweet. 7/10

22) Caroline’s Surprise by Susan Stoker
A couple is celebrating their 25th anniversary on the beach. The hero planned the whole thing, secretly, but the heroine is very happy to see all their friends and family attending. She tells him about wanting to visit Australia. This is part of a series. 8/10

23) Bad Reunion by Robin Covington
The heroine used to live in Australia where she learned to work in a bar. Now she’s back home, is opening her own bar and the hero, her ex she left when she left the country, is there to carry some stuff. They seem to make peace somehow after issues between them (both familiar and related to them alone) and she discovers he arrested her criminal father. Really over the top drama for such a short story. 3/10

24) King of Libertines by Pam Godwin
Pirates in an historical setting. The heroine has her own ship, inheritance from her pirate father, he left her a compass with a secret. Two other pirates who have been to what was Australian back then join her ship, she ends up teaming up with one to discover the compass’ secret. This was OK but there’s a lot of sex instead of real plot. 5/10

25) The Vow by Dylan Allen
This is part of a series. The heroine planned a secret wedding she surprised her fiancé with while in vacation in Australia. They are expecting a baby and confusion follows when the hero sees so many familiar faces appear somehow. There are too many characters, and it looked as if people thought they could do this and that because they afford it… meh. 5/10

26) The Boogieman by Mary Catherine Gebhard
The heroine works as a psychologist in prison; dreams of visiting Australia. One day she is attacked and then saved by a man with a fierce but dangerous look and personality. He bounds her and she feels attracted to him and the fact he’s dangerous. They have a sexual encounter. This is not romantic but I suppose it works for those looking for kink and erotic content although it was really weirdly developed. 3/10

27) Shopping for More by Julia Kent
This is a short snippet, part of a series I have not read. The main couple reunites the whole family. It was a sweet story, there are some interesting details but not very memorable to me. 7/10

28) Tenacious Bond by Emma Hart
This is a cozy mystery type of plot and part of a series. The main couple unites efforts (she is a PI and he a cop) to solve a case that appears to be a suicide. There are lots of characters and it makes for a little confusing read. There are some editing issues; this is told in 1st person, but works well enough; set in Australia. 7/10

29) Stiches by Melanie Moreland
Set in Australia, there’s a meet cute when doctor Ian helps Chloe and her mother Samantha and when they part ways he finds the little girl’s missing koala bear. Later on, they reunite when they attend the ER he works in. They start spending time together and become a family. Despite the more cliché choices, this was romantic, sweet and cute. 9/10

30) Sweet Caroline by Audrey Carlan
It seems this is part of a series, the hero is a tattoo artist and the heroine is the client. A couple, friends with the hero, is there too and thy have sex in a back office while the hero is working. He and the heroine have sex, carried by the other couple’s sounds. Besides the total lack of professionalism seen in this little story, there’s also the fact he belongs to a MC club, a type of story I dislike and has unrealistic thought processes: who thinks about oneself like that? 2/10

31) The Date Arrangement by A. Zavarelli
Set in Australia, told in alternate 1st person, this is the story of an actress heroine who is asked by two friends to flirt with their friend, out of a bad breakup and they want him to have a good time at a party. They start speaking, reluctant at first and then with pleasure; spend the night together after sharing confidences. He discovers the truth, gets mad but they make peace. I liked this one, there was quite a lot for a short story but overall, well done. 8/10

32) Taken by the Hobo by Kaity McGee
The heroine always gives something to the husker on the corner of the coffee shop near her work; he often has weird clothes, like a coat with koalas. (Australian connection?) One day they go on a date (!) and after spending the night together he tells her he is actually a famous musician. This has a sort of cute tone but is completely unrealistic. 7/10

33) Preston by Michelle Heard
Part of a series; the hero is shy and socially awkward and meets a more confident but weird bird lover heroine. They have an also weird meet cute over a flying bird and she invites him on a date. Later on he is invited to have dinner at her house because he knows her father from work. She tells him she raises birds since she decided to help Australian bird races to not become extinct. This is cute and a little funny but very weird. 7/10

34) The Candy Acquisition by Celia Aaron
During Halloween, a family goes trick-or-treat and is seems mother and older child are kidnapped but it was a ruse planned by the mother without alpha type father knowing, to teach something to their kid. This is part of a series, told in alternate 1st person. Can’t remember what the Australian connection was. 7/10

35) Mine for Tonight by Brighton Walsh
This is an erotica story which I skimmed a lot because it only showed the protagonists having sex. It seems it might develop further in other installments. I cannot remember if there was an Australian connection. 2/10

36) One Wild Ride by Chelle Bliss
NA story; 1st person. The heroine became adventurous and proposed a stranger for sex during spring break. Now she is thinking about if she is falling in love or not. Seriously under developed plot; lots of sex innuendo and clichés, very unlikable characters. An apparently random mentioned guy is from Australia. 2/10

37) Lifeline by Willow Aster 

During a flight to Australia, heroine and hero sit by one another (after he changed her ticket after they crashed into each other before embarking, really?) and become close and decide on trying to be together. Heroine likes books and writes them. It was OK… 6/10


-> Having finished reading the anthology, some questions remain for me:

Will I read these authors again soon or based on these stories?

How many liked, disliked, were so-so? 

Are these "suitable" stories for this anthology? 

Looking at the grades it can be obvious most stories were not appealing to me at all. However, of the 37, I'll definitely check authors Sierra Simone(who wrote my favorite one!), Susan Stoker, Melanie Moreland and A. Zavarelli. I already have books by Emma Scott and Kennedy Ryan on my TBR.

I still feel a little bad I didn't enjoy the majority but...well, some are better than none.

I'd say I don't feel some of the stories really fit an anthology for beneficence purposes. Of course each author has their own genre and style but I was thinking the stories would address more the Australian lifestyle, landscapes, situation... I wouldn't go as far as to expect only stories about Australia but yes, more than what they were, the incorporation of Australia's customs and culture in the stories with the country as setting are surprisingly - for me - non existent.

Although I was only familiar with Penny Reid as an author when I started this, I was also still hoping the stories would be more focused on romances, as the title indicates. However, sadly for my taste and opinion, they were too heavily set on sex and sex thoughts, sex musings, sex scenes. I think perhaps the authors who did so could have attempted something less graphic, even if including sex. It felt as if the sex scenes took away precious space out of the plot and in some cases, I think nothing was left.

Several also used this opportunity to write stories that are linked or set in series they have in course or that already exist. This means some stories certainly made more sense if readers were familiar with the characters. I can understand this "tactic" but it feels a little unfair. Not in terms of structure, most of them had a structure easy to follow but... they were funnier and more meaningful to readers who already knew about those characters.

As a whole, most of these stories failed to impress me but just for the ones I really liked, this was worth it; after all, they are short stories one can read quickly, it was for a good cause and it allowed me to want to investigate a few new authors.

General grade of the anthology as a whole: 5/10

TBR Challenge: Anthology A Victorian Christmas

Five holiday stories set in Victorian England or America that reflect the old-fashioned romantic charm of this popular era. This collection features tales by Patricia Gaffney, Bettina Krahn, Edith Layton, Mary Jo Putney, and Patricia Rice.

Comment: It just can't be possible that this is the last TBR challenge installment of the year. When older people used to say "time flies as you get older" I thought it couldn't be true but I have to admit, it does. The more responsibilities you have, the less time there seems to exist for all our daily routines...

Now it's time for the last theme of the year, as usually it's Holidays. Wendy does say we can choose one of several but in December it always feels better to go with Christmas.

This time I picked an anthology published a long time ago (1992 is old, who would say it to me!). In this anthology there are five short stories featuring Christmas settings or loosely connected to the Christmas holidays. Of the five authors I had read two, Patricia Gaffney and Bettina Krhan. Of the others I had heard about Mary Jo Putney and Edith Layton but never tried anything by them and Patricia Rice is the only really new to me author.

This anthology wasn't one I was eager to read but it was one of those I got second hand and since it had Christmas stories, I thought why not choose it to be my pick for this month's theme.

All stories have some connection to the season but they focus mostly on the characters and not exactly on the time of the year as a key element to move the plot forward. I'd say the Christmas element is more a prop than a driving force. Also noted by the title is the fact all stories are set during the Victorian period, thus historical and following certain "rules".

I believe it will be easier to just leave a few comments on each story in order of appearance.

Edith Layton - Bird of Paradise 

This is the story of a young woman, who is the only woman working in her company, she also has to take care of her younger brother and who is counting on her Christmas bonus in order to pay for some things on time for Christmas. However, her cheapskate boss gives her and the other employees a turkey and not money. While despairing but trying to carry the big bird home, she is helped by a man who often sees her movements from and to work, admiring her form but mostly her friendly behavior to everyone. Eventually this man is the one who helps her the most at a time of need.

I liked the story overall but it never got explained why the man was taking note of her movements, why he was important (we get he is rich) and his behavior felt a little too much like stalking. Their "romance" is not even at subtle level, the understated it felt.

Patricia Rice - A Christmas Angel 

Here, we have an American man who got an English title after the death of his grandfather, and he imagined a certain scenario but is proven wrong when the estate is facing difficulties and some people, namely a specific young woman, are a little sad and bitter about the lack of opportunities for the poor village where they live. 

This story had many interesting elements to exploit, like the different social and cultural backgrounds of the protagonists, the doubts they faced on their pasts...I think a short story wasn't enough to properly explain and redeem certain emotional aspects.

Patricia Gaffney - Second Chance

My least favorite despite a surprising scene towards the end. Two sweethearts reunite on the eve of the heroine's wedding to another man but the bride hasn't forgotten the man she used to love despite the way he disappeared from her life. He comes back, explains why he did what he did and she must think if she really wants to marry a man for the wrong reasons. 

This one wasn't very good to me because I tend to dislike lovers reunited plots - even if these two never got to that point. The secondary characters had a part to play but things were so one dimensional except for the protagonists I felt this wasn't enough page count to fully present a balanced story.

Bettina Krahn - Kidnapped For Christmas 

This one was cute. A young teacher at a girl's school gets kidnapped before Christmas when all the other teachers and the girls go home for the holidays. The kidnapper is the father of a young girl refused entry at the school due to the father's not to proper reputation. 

The interactions of the main couple were interesting and the whole "vibe" was one I liked, it felt like their relationship was moving at a good pace. I'd would have loved a bigger books about these two. It was also a little romantic despite some less than reliable behaviors. The characterization made the protagonists likable and I was happy they found an HEA.

Mary Jo Putney - The Black Best of Bellaterre

As many other readers, this was my favorite. Another retelling of the Beauty and the Beast where the hero helps the heroine escape her father's greedy but careless hands by offering marriage so she doesn't have to marry another man. 

I liked how the hero tried to protect the heroine by marrying her even while promising it could be a marriage in name only. As time goes by they of course find something about the other t care and even love. There was a moment where things go wrong and a bigger book would have smoothed this more but in the end, the pace of their romance and how things go is extremely captivating.

-> Of the five stories, I liked two a lot, one wasn't positive for me overall and the other two were more along "meh". Still, I appreciated some reasons behind the content of them all, so all things considered, this was average for me. I do feel interested in reading more by the authors whole stories I liked the best so I'll check their back lists.

In terms of Christmas content, like I said it was mostly randomly used and only to give us that sense warm feelings were in the air. Nevertheless, the stories were a good enough reason to spend the time reading.

Grade: 6/10

Anthology Another Place in Time

This collection of short stories was birthed because a sworn "I don't like historicals" reader fell in love

with what have become some of her favorite books by most of her favorite writers. Surprisingly, they were all historicals. Determined to make others feel the love, these authors were asked to contribute small tastes of how amazing historical storytelling can be.
Along with a foreword written by Alex Beecroft, enjoy these original short stories that make up "Another Place in Time".
Office Romance by Tamara Allen
The post-war economy is at a standstill, much like Foster Wetherly’s life until he’s forced to do battle with irritatingly confident—and competent—fellow ex-doughboy Casey Gladwin for a position in their shrinking department at Manhattan Security Mutual.
Introducing Mr. Winterbourne by Joanna Chambers
Lysander Winterbourne appears to lead a charmed life. Handsome, amiable, and a renowned sportsman, he is the darling of London society. As far as Adam Freeman is concerned though, Lysander is just another spoiled aristocrat.
A wealthy mill owner, Adam has no time for the frivolous world of the ton, but when his younger brother becomes engaged to Althea Winterbourne, he reluctantly agrees to be introduced to society–with the Winterbourne clan’s golden boy as his guide.
Resigning himself to a few days of boredom, Adam is surprised to learn that there is much more to Lysander than his perfect surface. But will Adam have the courage to introduce Lysander Winterbourne to his own secret self?
The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh by KJ Charles
Lord Gabriel Ashleigh is a ruined man. Last night he lost everything at the card tables to his brother’s worst enemy, notorious gambler Francis Webster. Tonight, he’s going back for one more game. Ash thinks he has nothing left to lose. But Francis sets the stakes, and they’re higher than Ash could have imagined…
Two Regency bucks. One game of cards. Everything to play for.
Unfair in Love and War by Kaje Harper
Many men lost brothers overseas in the summer of 1944. Warren Burch was one of them. For months he still clung to his big city life in Philadelphia, but finally he's made the difficult choice to return to his home town. Warren's polio-stricken leg won't let him serve, so the least he can do is be there for his mother, when brother Charlie never again will. Arriving home means a whole new life, constrained by the rhythms and prejudices of a small town. Fortunately, it's made more interesting by the mysterious and attractive young man next door.
Carousel by Jordan L. Hawk
When a child goes missing, is it a simple case of a young runaway, or are more sinister forces at work?
“Carousel” is part of the Whyborne & Griffin series and takes place between the events of Stormhaven and Necropolis. It can be read as a standalone.
Deliverance by Aleksandr Voinov
This is a re-vamped, re-edited, improved version of "Deliverance". It's about William Raven, a templar, who thought he'd escaped his past. (Same character as in "The Lion of Kent".)

Comment: Another anthology I decided to finally tackle. I got interested in it, mainly because two authors whose work I like participated with a story but after reading them all, I must say most were pleasant to read.

All stories feature an m/m relationship in a different moment in time not the contemporary setting. The goal was to provide a story that could help readers that don't usually like or read historicals to have a small glimpse of how interesting these stories could be. Since I already liked historicals a lot, this was not hard task and I'm glad to say I was happy to read them all.

I'll just leave a few comments about each one:

Office Romance by Tamara Allen

This is not the first story by the author I try so I was ready for the writing style and I must say I was pleasantly surprised, I think the story made sense, was well structured and I guess this author in small doses is the perfect fit for my tastes, since her longer books tend to be a bit boring here and there. This was a sweet story and what I liked best was how we got the feeling we were knowing the characters well and their choices and lives made sense in the whole picture. This was a story I liked reading, for sure.

Grade 8/10

Introducing Mr. Winterbourne by Joanna Chambers

This must have been my favorite. I liked how the two main characters met, the expectations they had but which were changing as the day moved along and by the end of it, they were pretty much a team. I liked reading about them and a full length story would have certainly make the relationship feel more solid. Still, the interactions, the sexual tension, it all made sense for me. The end was a bit too quick but the general feeling I have after reading is one of happiness.

Grade: 9/10

The Ruin of Gabriel Ashleigh by KJ Charles

I already knew these characters from the author's series they are a part of, so I was happy to see how their relationship started. It wasn't as romantic as I imagined but the dynamics certainly felt well done, considering the situation. It was also interesting to see how they made a compromise of being together and respecting each other after the apparent dislike in their mutual past. The emotional content is always an element to look or in the author's books.

Grade: 8/10

Unfair in Love and War by Kaje Harper

This is a story that could be very sweet, the feelings both main characters had to deal were believable and powerful and that part of the story felt very good. My issue was with the way their relationship progressed, I just didn't get the feeling Warren and Stephen were a good match in every level so my enjoyment of their time together wasn't much.

Grade: 6/10 

Carousel by Jordan L. Hawk

A good surprise, I knew about  this series although I haven't read any book before this short story. There's a PNR vibe which I actually liked enough but the glimpses of the character's relationship and what they mean to one another was quite well achieved for a first time reader. I do feel curious about how they met and why they are a good couple, so this is a win since I might look for the first book to see how the story holds in a longer format.

Grade: 8/10 

Deliverance by Aleksandr Voinov

It ended up being the one I liked the least, simply because I think the historical moment portrayed (the Crusades era) isn't one I usually read about so I didn't really connect and the story between two men who were in a relationship that had so little to support it didn't win me over. The main character goes through a huge emotional conflict and I can sympathize but overall he just didn't seem as fair in his decisions so the end felt a bit rushed, considering the rest of the story.

Grade: 5/10

✩These short stories were very successful as part of an anthology aimed to convince people to read historicals. In some, it was great they were short but my favorites of course I'd wish they were more developed so I could spend more time with the characters.

All had their moments and little details and I think authors were very professional in giving us a story to wow us. As always every person sees things differently anyway!

I do recommend this anthology.

Overall Grade: 7/10

Anthology Summer Rain

What happens when love gets caught in the rain? In this romance anthology, RITA-Award winning author Molly O’Keefe shows us the power of a city thunderstorm from the top of a skyscraper, while Amy Jo Cousins soaks us in a rain in Spain. New York Times bestselling author Ruthie Knox’s heroine is devastated by a winter storm, while a summer thunderstorm grants Alexandra Haughton’s hero and heroine a second chance at love. Rain sparks self-awareness in the robot in Charlotte Stein’s story and allows Mary Ann Rivers’s heroine to fall in love with her hero and her own art. Rain causes romance between the college students in Audra North’s and Shari Slade’s stories, while romance causes rain in Cecilia Tan’s myth-inspired tale of a sacrifice to a demi-god. Nine romance novelettes, edited by Sarah Frantz. 

Comment: As everyone knows, when it comes to anthologies it's always a game of chance to find anthologies where all stories included are interesting. I liked this anthology as a whole and most stories were like introductions to ideas/plots I'd be interesting in reading more about, meaning, I'd read full length stories about these plots, not exactly series on them.

This anthology was edited with stories with a specific purpose and all proceeds from the volume will be donated to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (www.rainn.org), the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the United States. Since I bought an used copy at a retailer I'm not sure if I contributed or not...

What all stories then have in common is the presence of rain, often used as a cleansing metaphor. When I was deciding if I wanted to read the book this was a factor that caught my eye and made me wonder how it would be inserted in each story. As usual, in some cases it went better than in others.

Now I'll just leave some simple comments about each story.

Redemption by Ruthie Knox - 6/10 

I thought this story was too sad. Basically it focuses on two people who are down on their luck, one of them as a dead end job and the other just lost a business. I can see why it's call redemption because at the end there's hope they will be able to do something together, there's already a connection between them but there were little details about their personalities and I don't think those and the hope weren't enough to balance the more negative aspects.

The Heart of It by Molly O’Keefe - 8/10 

I thought this was a cute story about a male writer and a female escort. This had very interesting emotional layers, especially when it came to the male's past. There were some quick jumps in the plot's time so I'd love a full length story. But the details used were well placed, well dealt with. I was really invested in these character's possible future and interactions. My second favorite story.

Sacrifice by Cecilia Tan - 8/10 

This is a fantasy story about two very different people, the male protagonist is a demigod (sort of like the Greek myth of Hercules) and a girl who is a sacrifice to appease the gods. This had enough details to be an unique story, especially because the girl was kidnapped from China and they couldn't understand each other at first. Things progressed very quickly but the rich details compensated (from my POV at least).

Real Feelings by Charlotte Stein - 8/10 

This was different. It featured a relationship between a woman and her brand new human sized robot, who suddenly gains feelings. I'm not sure if this can be seen as IA since he is programmed to act and react and not make spontaneous moves. Although I can't fully accept how easily the robot "changed", it still offered some interesting notions and I was looking for to see how the human woman would react as well.

Rainy Season by Mary Ann Rivers - 8/10 

Surprisingly good story, when I think about my past experience with the author's work. I consider this to be still quite analytical but it was easier to go through than some of her full length novels so maybe she's an author whose work needs to be taken in small doses. I liked the main female character, she's a barista that can sort of guess people's needs and problems. There's a math teacher that comes often to the shop and they start talking one day. Quite sweet, actually.

The Rain in Spain by Amy Jo Cousins - 5/10 

Too sad for me. A couple is trying to reconnect again, to regain the love and the same feelings they had when they begun their marriage. Real life and their jobs make it difficult to be in the same page. I thin this was rather depressing, to be honest, even if it ends hopeful and in a positive vibe. Apparently based on the author's own experience, I felt it wasn't "magical" enough to convince me those two made the right choice in being married.

Fitting In by Audra North - 8/10 

My favorite, I liked the character's past being the detail that separated them from the mainstream but at the same time bringing them together. There are interesting social themes, interesting notions about shame and acceptance and self esteem and peer pressure, I'd love a full length story because there is a lot of potential in several details of this short story!

Private Study by Shari Slade - 7/10 

The couple seems sweet together but I felt there's a lack of details, which could have helped make the plot stronger. For obvious reasons, there wasn't enough space but the characters did impress me as being solid and well characterized. I just think the lack of pages was more obvious here than in the other stories of the anthology but it was appealing enough to read about two different students and how they could try to connect to one another.

Storm Warning by Alexandra Haughton - 5/10 

My least favorite. This seems to be a second chance story type of plot and I dislike those in general. A woman who didn't succeed int he big city comes back home to regain strength at her parent's house and before a storm hits she meets her old boyfriend who didn't believe in her dream. Now they talk about what happened and maybe their future can be bright again. Interesting details but I didn't connect with the characters, didn't like the idea of them having been an item, it's just a trope that often leaves me not caring.

💜 Overall 7 grade because it's the combination of all the individual grades.

I loved the little note each author included before their stories, to give us some context and in some cases, it helped understanding the idea behind the plots. 

As far as anthologies go, this was not a bad one. 

Grade: 7/10

Trisha Telep - Anthology Mammoth Book of Futuristic Romance

The good news is, in the future there will be no shortage of romance. On space ships, on newly-colonized planets or on a barely recognizable Earth; life forms, whether human, alien or something in between, will find their way to love.
As giant corporations grasp new opportunities for profit and future armies clash, both in deep space and 'dirtside', former romantic partners try to put the past behind them and time-travelling rebels set out to romance the past.
These science fiction stories of future love and lust - by Marcella Burnard, Biana D'Arc, Jess Granger, Linnea Sinclair, C.L. Wilson and many more - are brimming with passion and humour. So, even though in space no one can hear you scream, they might just be able to hear you laugh. 

Comment: I got this anthology last year, after realizing some stories could be to my taste. As it often happens, some stories have impressed me more than others. All of them, however, are too short to be read as a complete work. I'm sure some would have gained a lot from a bigger page count or maybe follow ups would have been great in the case of some (especially the ones I liked best).

There are several different themes explored but the main idea is that there is always a romance to happen and the possibility if love helping in dire situations. I applaud the idea but this means the stories are easily seen as insta-lust or too simplistically presented which can be a let down.

Nevertheless, I had a good time reading most of the stories and I'll leave a quick comment on them.

1. Flying is Faster by Jeannie Holmes 

A human doctor in a colonized planet inhabited by birdlike humanoids helps a female of that species to save her brother. There are problems and they spend some time together.

It was a sweet story but the connection between them not as good as it could be, especially when we understand they admire each other. 7/10

2. Star Crossed by Cathy Clamp
Two sort of enemies are in a ship fighting an apparent losing battle against an enemy of the planet. Something happens and they must work together on a final attempt to attack the enemy.

Not a favorite, the end of the world to be scenario didn't make me eager to read this one and the personal relationship wasn't exciting. 6/10

3. Naturally Beautiful by Jaime Leigh Hansen

In the distant future, a genius female is rescued by a special Ops offier while another helps her father. Father's team ends up captured, but heroine and her officer aren't. Sparks fly while they try to help the others.
It was interesting but the secondary situations seemed stronger than the romance part. 7/10

4. Seven Months of Forever by Linnea Sinclair
This is a follow up to the author's book Games of Command (which I liked!) but it might not be easily understandable without having that book read first. A situation causes something to malfunction and Captain Sass needs to try her best to make Kel-Paten realize he's been free and in love for the past seven months.

I liked it just because I knew the characters and could sympathize with them. 8/10

5. Memories of Gravity by Patrice Sarath
A woman comes back from Jupiter to deal with her grandfather's death and will. A ghost plays havoc during her stay back in Earth but she realizes someone else might be the real troublemaker.
Some readers disliked the more ghost content than futuristic but it sounded more suspense in general to me. The romance was quick but had some base to be acceptable.

It was an OK read but I didn't miss ending it. 6/10

6. Fade Away and Radiate by Michele Lang
Weird story about a woman alone in a planet, her husband was killed and now someone arrives to rescue her from death as well.

I didn't really connect with the characters. She was still sort of mourning so the romance felt unnecessary and untimely. 5/10

7. New Earth Twelve by Mandy M. Roth
Interesting story. In a space ship to a 12th attempt on colonizing a world like Earth, the space ship captain tried to kill some people, they were rescued and have aged ten years sine the beginning of the trip. One of the key elements has synchronized his mind with the ship and he becomes friends with one of the rescued girls, now a woman. I wouldn't mind reading more about the characters and the new world. 8/10

8. Red Dawn by Delilah Devlin
I actually liked this one. Mars is now being colonized by different people and Mary, a lone woman has been granted the chance to have a mate, which happens to be a prisoner doing his penance. She can control him but they soon realize they do match one another. It can be seen as an unfair situation but the promising future makes up for that. I'd read a follow up on them. 8/10

9. Racing Hearts by Kiersten Fay
This is a second chance story, which I normally don't like much. A couple will be entering a space ship competition along with a team. The problem is they have been apart and now need to be polite to one another if they want their team to succeed. Plot is basically them patching up and the reason why they split was so silly, I mostly dismissed it at the end. 6/10

10. In the Interest of Security by Regan Black
In the past, an evil guy has used genetic transformations to create special soldiers. His niece escaped and now lives as a smuggler along others and her small son. One of the security guards at the complex they live is told to protect her now that she feels ready to leave her job. The story has strong points, the romance isn't too bad...but in general, it wasn't as fascinating as it could. 7/10

11. End of the Line by Bianca D'Arc
A really good story, suspending disbelief in the human behavior. A woman pilot has her small ship destroyed and is caught by the enemy race who wants to overpower Earth. It turns out the ship's captain is her mate and they end up going to his planet. I liked it and would have liked to read a sequel or more books in a series, were it to exist. 9/10

12. Space Cowboy by Donna Kauffman
A florist sees an man from the future simply appear in her shop. He tells her he is a bounty hunter from centuries ahead and she might be caught by an evil man who kidnaps women for trafficking. They are attracted to one another, months later he returns to be with her. I thought this romance was too quickly presented, it didn't feel realistic within the "rules". 6/10

13. Tales from the Second Chance Saloon: Macawley's List by Linnea Sinclair
A second story by this author. This is a second chance story where Macawley has the opportunity to go back in time, after his death, and try to change the course of his life in a point where he can find happiness. It was interesting but I admit I wasn't very impressed and the fact the heroine wasn't developed didn't help. 6/10

14. Wasteland by Jess Granger
I liked this story! So far what I've read by this author has been very positive! Truly sad she stopped writing as Granger and now writes YA under another name :(

In this story, a woman is sent through a portal to another dimension where the criminals of her corrupted world are all sent to. She still wants to denounce her brother but first she needs to escape. She meets a man who helps her and with time, they start to be friends and caring for one another. When it becomes possible, will she choose to go with him instead? I just liked spending time reading about these characters and the world building felt complete. 9/10

15. Nuns and Huns by Charlene Teglia
It was a bit weird. A ship full of women comes to Earth after another ship who entered Earth in the past got here and now women arrive in the present so they can get the genetic material which will enable life in their own planet/reality. The ship's captain seduces a man for the first time, Caleb, who apparently is a descendant of those first men. The romance was too quick and the end not totally realistic to me. 7/10

16. Song of Saire by Leanna Renee Hieber
Confusing story for me. Two people with powers have decided to help others of their kind from genocide. But although they can't be romantically together, they love each other. Apparently they get to a new universe/reality? and find peace and a paradise along those of their kind. Interesting prose and ideas but weirdly executed details. 6/10

17. The Noah by C.L. Wilson
An obvious Bible inspired story about Adam and Eve shows us a planet in decay and about to be destroyed. No one lives in the planet anymore except Eve and her four "sisters" which are simply clones of a previous Eve, which was an important and clever scientist. Besides them, only ghosts exist too, basically zombie-like humanoids. The Noah is a man who had the task of overlooking Earth. The planet is close to be gone so the noah and the Eves will need to go somewhere else. Quite tragic and depressing, it's interesting and hopeful but not overly exciting. 8/10

18. Written in Ink by Susan Sizemore
A woman from the future, where society is ruled differently, goes to the past to interfere with a certain fact. She doesn't arrive in the right place, though, so she asks the help of a "mailman", whose job is to pass messages in dangerous places. This is an adventure, the relationship has potential but the atmosphere seems too dark. There are zombies as well, never a favorite of mine. 6/10

19. Nobody's Present by Marcella Burnard

The last story was cute and interesting about a woman going on a job interview, she gets kidnapped by aliens who need sex with humans to survive because of a genetic issue. This was a funny story and ends up with a HEA that, although not very romantic, can become so. The main couple shares their life stories which allows some more intensity between them to be credible. 8/10

💧I'm positively surprised with most of the stories, I'd definitely read more books in two or three worlds included here for certain. It's really unfortunate that the stories are so small, some of them would have gained a lot with more pages.

Considering all the grades I gave to a summary, this ends up being a good book for me.

Grade: 7/10

TBR Challenge: A Western Winter Wonderland anthology

19th century. Three heartwarming stories full of holiday sparkle and romance!
Christmas Day Family by Cheryl St.John
Marvel Henley thought she was content until the new handsome doctor Seth Paxton and his adorable kids crashed into her life! Suddenly she began to yearn for things she had long stopped wishing for... Fallen Angel by Jenna Kernan
When Abby March is accidentally shot, she and her young boy are taken into a rugged stranger's care. Dark and mysterious, Ford Statler hides a softer side and offers much more than just a Christmas to remember...
One Magic Eve by Pam Crooks
Chet Latimer is attracted to Sonja Kaplan despite local gossip, and he finds himself asking Sonja for help with his motherless little boy. With Christmas on the horizon and magic in the air, their lives may just change...forever!  

Comment: Here we are the final TBR challenge post of the year and, as usual, for December we have a holiday read. It doesn't have to be about Christmas but is sure looks suitable. Again this year I picked an anthology that has been on my radar for quite a long time and I kept it on hold until this month purposely to this challenge.

 

Each story features a small plot centered around Christmas and the spirit of sharing and helping others. Even more important, there's love to happen as well.

Being the stories short stories obviously they have to follow some rules, namely in terms of limited time to set the pace and present a HEA. I found it interesting that all stories featured children. The problem is that, because there's not much time to develop the relationships, even in an historical context where some situations would be dealt with more politeness and behavioral rules than we have nowadays when it comes to said relationships, I felt not enough time was passing for things to be very credible. It's very difficult to fully believe that in such a short amount of time things happen with enough depth and solidity to make a relationship based on true love become real. I know it's complicated to juggle the need for limits with a believable love story development but some authors have done it! And without recurring to the lovers reunited trope, which I dislike. This doesn't happen here, all three couples fall in love after some time talking and there are sweet, cute scenes around the Christmas time but they really didn't work out completely for me.

Just a few words about each story...

 

Christmas Day Family by Cheryl St.John

This story focuses on Marvel, a spinster lady who took care of her father in his illness and now has a boarding house and recently turned down the offer of marriage by one of her father's friends. Marvel feels she doesn't have to settle just because of her age and she tells herself she likes her lonely life just fine. Things change when Seth Paxton, the new doctor, arrives in town with his children and starts living there until his own house is ready.

The relationship between them is cautious at first but then Marvel falls for his children and then for Seth himself. Marvel is suspicious of happiness after such a long time not living for herself but this cute story tells us it's never too late to be happy, to trust someone and to fulfill the dreams we might have. What I didn't like was how Marvel was seven years older than Seth. Personally, in real life nothing against it, but in romances I prefer when the opposite happens. It doesn't suit me much and often I can't put it aside. Apart from that, it was a sweet story.

 

Fallen Angel by Jenna Kernan

Abby is trying to get a Christmas tree with her son when a bounty hunter accidently shoots her while trying to hit a wanted man. Abby grew up in a sheltered life but everything changed when she believed the words of a man and left her family for him. he turned out to be a cad, only after her for her money, money that her parents never gave her anyway. She is now wary of men, especially Ford who takes up the task of caring for her until she's back on her feet. The close proximity of the hotel where they're staying makes the feelings between them hard to resist and the small boy really needs a father, but Abby wants to take care of her son and she gladly traded her good life to protect and love her son.

This story is sweet too, but the relationship between Ford and Abby happens too fast. It was more convincing how Ford and Abby's son bonded, actually. Ford is one of those "I don't deserve you" types and that gets so annoying, although believable. It was nice when things got solved and Ford realize it's better to love and cherish than to live in the past.

 

One Magic Eve by Pam Crooks

Here we meet Sonya, who works as the caretaker of pigeons for the army and the whole town believes her to be something she's not, receiving so many army men in her house and being unmarried. The man she was supposed to marry died in a an attack by an Indian but Sonya takes her job very seriously because the pigeons carrying messages help the army to protect people.

Chet Lattimer's son and a friend save a baby fox and ask Sonya for help but then the friend leaves Chet's son there and when he goes there to get him, we learn both Chet and Sonya are attracted to each other but the prejudice is keeping Chet away despite Sonya having developed stronger feelings for him and feeling very sad he doesn't try to understand her side. The best part was to see how Sonya, someone others misjudged, finally got the family she needed to love and loved them back. I think Chet was a bit too condescending but the HEA made up for that.

 

All in all, the three stories are warm tales of the redemption of Christmas and how we should let go of past issues and embrace happiness, a second chance at love or even a first attempt at being with people who could love and want you. I also liked how children had an important role in all the stories, for they were part of the reason the couples got closer and became a family at the end.

Many situations would have gained a lot with a bigger page count so certain issues could have been better developed, but in general, the goals were achieved.

I still think more could have been done, not any of them won me over completely, but all of them are slightly balanced, there isn't one, for instance, that's so much better or vice versa. They are nice, warm stories to read in this season and that's it, really.

Grade: 6/10 

Several authors - Premiere: Romance Writers of America anthology

From Romance Writers of America® comes a never-before-published collection of tales that showcases the breadth and complexity of the world's most popular genre of fiction!
New York Times bestselling authors Cindy Gerard and Allison Brennan bring the thrills in their tales of romantic suspense.
New York Times bestselling authors Sabrina Jeffries and Courtney Milan take you on a trip back in time with lush stories of historical romance.
New York Times bestselling authors Vicki Lewis Thompson and Joan Johnston show the wonder of contemporary romance, while New York Times bestselling authors Monica Murphy and Laura Kaye's New Adult romances delve into the evolving Millennial perspective.
And editor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Sylvia Day's tale of angels and sizzling desire takes readers to the edge with paranormal romance.
From the first love of Young Adult romance to tales of second chances, LGBT romance to the realms of the supernatural, contemporary to historical, suspense to inspirational, the genre of romance has a story for every reader and this blockbuster inaugural collection from Romance Writers of America showcases it all!

Comment: This is one of the most recent books I've read. I got the anthology a few months ago and thought it would be a good summer read but as always it ended being pushed and only a few days ago I picked it at last.

The anthology has the idea of "wrong number", meaning all stories somehow had to include the idea of a wrong number being key to whatever situation described in the plot. As always, some author seemed to have done it very well, others not so much.

 

The stories are 18 and some were new authors to me. I'm including the links to their sites below, in my comments.

The ones I've read are in one of my other lists.

 

The problem with short stories is precisely the limitation we have because of page count; in some stories I think it was obvious the author would need more space to develop the characters, the plot...some ideas would make great full length books, in my opinion.

The thing is, any reader has different opinions. I liked 3 stories best, others were average and 2 I think weren't up to my taste. Everything is relative, it depends on someone's mood, the target audience, our genre preferences, etc... it doesn't mean those authors did a bad job but in the same limited amount of time, some authors convinced me and others didn't.

This is a good way to know more authors and some here I will look at their back lists, but many will be forgettable for me.

 

As a whole I'd say this is an average read because my favorites and least favorites aren't in the majority.

I've graded each story individually and then divided them and I got a sort of average number.

I won't write much about each one, but will leave my overall impression.

 

RAVISHED BY THE GEEK by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Contemporary 6/10

This is about a man getting a wrong email because of a #2 at the end of his email account but then he has the chance to fulfill the fantasies of the woman he has a crush on. I liked it but the pages dedicated to describe the sex would have been better used to develop their feelings.

 

UNDER A WICKED MOON by Lila Bell, PNR 3/10

Two former orphans who shared a foster house meet again, she uses magic on him (wrong number of ingredients in the spell), he feels she's his mate. It passed me by and I didn't find much interest in it even though I like shape shifter stories because their connection wasn't very likable, I didn't feel interested in them as a couple.  

 

A RIGHT HONORABLE GENTLEMAN by Courtney Milan, Historical 8/10

One of may favorites about a 39 year old governess who's leaving her post because the boy she's been educating is going to Eton and how his father, someone important finally decides to pursue her (at a wrong number address) and make them both happy. I was happy too because ms Milan writes wonderfully and her story seemed bigger and better.

 

STATION 12 by Amber Lin, Contemporary 5/10

A woman tries to leave her ex things in his cubicle at the fire station but gets the wrong station and meets another man. There's a connection between them but she only looks for him after she feels he might be special and brave while seeing him in the news helping someone from a fire. It was cute but too easy for me. More pages would have helped, considering what she was going through emotionally.

 

WRONG NUMBER, RIGHT GIRL by Monica Murphy, New Adult 4/10

Ehh...player guy is facing a purpose crises or something, tries to seduce someone, the girl gives him her cousin's number, the cousin and him start to chat, they meet...they get along. Not interested in him, in her, or in their relationship. Typical NA plot but easily put aside by me.

 

A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS by Regina Scott, Inspirational 5/10

A woman meets her crush again after he comes back from the military post where he's been, they meet again, reconnect, realize they can love each other. Sweet but nothing special, I felt it fit the idea but not much more than that. Forgot the number reference to be honest.

 

COMING HOME by Joan Johnston, Contemporary 8/10

I'd love to see this developed because it was good, a FBI agent goes on a double date (with a wrong number dress size) with her cousin, cousin's boyfriend and Luke, an ex con, wrongly accused. They were getting along, they dismissed prejudices and tried to respect the other...it was really great to read and it's another one of my favorite stories here.

 

THE POET by T.L. Costa, YA 7/10

Surprised by this sweet story about a boy with a crush who sends her a poem by mistake. He tries to stop her from reading, joins a zumba class somehow and ends up knowing she feels the same and was waiting for him to say something. I liked there was no sexual content and everything was cute. Usually not fond of YAs at all, this was one of the best stories, I think.

 

DEAD WRONG by Cindy Gerard, Romantic Suspense 6/10

A woman was wrongly accused of murdering her husband, she is acquitted and goes home where she meets Jed again, her teenage years sweetheart. They hit it off again, face her ex father in law who believes he killed his son and she and Jed save the day and end up happy ever after. Meh, it had some interestingly emotional issues I wish would have been better used, but overall I wasn't too convinced and the lovers reunited theme rarely wins me over. Forgot number reference.

 

THE FALLOUT by Harper St. George, NA 5/10

A good idea about a young couple getting back together before the divorce whose deadline would be in a different day than the one scheduled. I didn't enjoy the fact there was more focus in sexually address the issue than to better prepare the emotional setbacks of their lives. This was the story I forgot more about after finishing the anthology.

 

HARD TO BREATHE by Sylvia Day, PNR 7/10

It was good on its own, two angels, different hierarchies battling their feelings, he's an alpha type, all good except the part where concessions have to be made for them to be together. Why complicate was my thought about something that was on the way to perfection then felt short to me. Forgot the number reference.

 

ALL I WANT by Erica Ridley, Historical 5/10

I had a hard time thinking about this as an historical somehow. The sweethearts reunited didn't ring true in this story about a good family girl still loving the wrong boy who went to war. They eventually get their HEA because of a game of cards. Not very appealing to my tastes. Forgot the number reference.

 

COVERING HER SKIN by Laura Kaye, Contemporary/NA? 7/10

This was good overall, a woman wants to get rid of a numbered tattoo by covering it with another, the tattoo artist knew about the treason she suffered, they now feel attracted. I liked the guy, I felt sorry for the girl, but too many clichés to justify this and it felt rushed. Good but a different page count would have helped.

 

THE LONG WAY HOME by Katy Regnery, NA 5/10

Many liked this one but it felt flat to me, older girl than the guy usually is not my cup of tea, then mixed with older sparks reunited, ehh...it was only positive for me because of the emotional aspect which had space to be improved. But the rest is forgettable to me. Number reference about the only one seat to be taken at the bus home.

 

THEIR NIGHT OFF by Allison Brennan, Romantic Suspense 6/10

Too much talk about sex. I get it but it distracted me from the plot, which I never got very interested in anyway. A FBI agent has an eureka moment about a case, her cop boyfriend helps her. I wanted to know more about their relationship but the way it was presented seemed it wasn't as strong as it could have been.

 

FLYING IN THE FACE OF CONVENTION by Lex Valentine, LGBT 7/10

I liked this one, but it also had the problem of not enough pages to tell what could have been a great story. Too much time dedicated to sex when things more subtle could have worked out and left space to improve the personal characterization of the guys. Mail delivered to wrong number address.

 

AN APRIL FOOL'S FORBIDDEN AFFAIR by Sabrina Jeffries, Historical 5/10

A man is in love with his deceased wife's sister, he fights it but everyone noticed it except her, who also moons about him. By trying to show a lesson to the woman's younger brother, they set up a prank in a wrong address and eventually face the reality of their feelings. Rushed, confusing story filled with clichés and sincerely, not very appealing characters.

 

WRONG ADDRESS, RIGHT GUY by Diane Kelly, Contemporary 9/10

My favorite!! Guy comes to have a date, neighbor with the address next to the woman takes her place after the other woman leaves for another date, the two of them talk, have a great time, behave like grown ups and we are left with the idea of true happiness in the air. Loved it, I'd like to see it bigger but it was the one that felt more completed and structured and they had never met before. Wonderful read!

 

-//-

 

A thing I've noticed about the majority of the stories is how easy it is to use the lovers reunited trope and adaptations to it, or the meeting again to make the character's connection feel stronger and more realistic in such a short amount of time. I get it but it was hard to stomach that because I tend not to like those much.

I'll try to look at the authors besides ms Milan that I've liked and see if some other woks by them captivate me.

This anthology was good, interesting common theme but overall, it was average and good to pass the time...

Grade: 6/10